Update 7/21/22. Ageless Male is a testosterone enhancer for men over 40 that you may have seen advertised on Fox and Friends and elsewhere. Its bottles claim it to be a “worldwide best seller.” Since I first reviewed Ageless Male, its ingredients have changed quite a bit, so this updated review will first list the new ingredients and their research and after that, I'll show you the ingredients in the original formula. Does Ageless Male really work? Does It raise testosterone levels or improve libido? Does it have any side effects? Let's look at the ingredients in this testosterone booster and see what we can discover.
What Is Ageless Male?
Ageless Male is a supplement primarily marketed to men over 40 who have low testosterone levels – or who think they do. According to the supplement's website, Ageless Male is alleged to have these benefits:
- Boost Healthy Testosterone Levels.
- Increase libido, drive and performance.
- Helps Promote Energy Metabolism.
- Promotes Muscle as Part of Strength Training.
All of these claims contain an asterisk that refers readers to the statement that “these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.”
Ageless Male Ingredients
A bottle of Ageless Male has 60 tablets. Each 1 tablet of Ageless Male has the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount Per Serving | Percent Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine HCL) | 4.9 mg | 245% DV |
| Magnesium (magnesium oxide) | 16 mg | 4% DV |
| Zinc (zinc acid chelate) 15 mg | 15 mg | 100% DV |
| Fenugreek seed extract (as Testofen) | 300 mg | N/A |
N/A = no daily value established
Other Ingredients in Ageless Male that are listed are:
- calcium carbonate
- microcrystalline cellulose
- stearic acid
- croscarmellose sodium
- magnesium stearate
- coating (hypromellose & polyethylene glycol)
- silica
I don't believe these other ingredients play any role in the effects of Ageless Male.
Ageless Male Vitamins And Minerals
While I normally don't review the vitamins and minerals in supplements (because I don't think they do anything), there is some evidence on the nutrients in Ageless Male so here is a quick review of them to help you better understand why they are present.
Zinc
Ageless Male contains the mineral zinc. Zinc is also found in other testosterone enhancer supplements too. The reason for this is probably because of a study from 1996 that looked noted zinc supplementation raised testosterone in both younger and older men who were lacking this mineral.
In this study, the older men were naturally lacking zinc but it had to be induced in younger men. In other words, the younger men were not deficient in zinc.
While older adults might be deficient in zinc, becuase they might not eat so well, Im not convienced younger men need more of this mineral.
Foods naturally rich in zinc include seafood, pumpkin seeds, chicken and beef nuts, and beans to name a few.
Does Zinc Raise Testosterone?
watch on my Youtube channel if you prefer
Vitamin B6
In rats, a lack of vitamin B6 might reduce testosterone production. But what about people? Does B6 raise testosterone in humans? If that evidence exists, it could not be located for this review. Foods high in vitamin B6 include meats, chicken, fish, chickpeas, and potatoes.
Can Vitamin B6 Alleviate Anxiety?
Watch on my Youtube channel if you prefer
Magnesium
One study involving 30 men (18-22), noted that magnesium (10 mg per kilogram of body weight), raised both free testosterone and total testosterone. For a man weighing 180 pounds (81 kilograms) this comes to 820 mg. Both exercise alone (carried out to exhaustion) and exercise + magnesium increased testosterone levels.
The highest levels were seen in those who exercised to exhaustion and took magnesium supplements. No significant changes were seen in those who took magnesium but did not exercise.
Two tablets of Ageless Male (recommended amount to take) contain 30 mg of magnesium. This study used much more than this. The men in this study used 10 mg per kilogram of body weight. So, a 180 pound man (82 kg) would have recieved 818 mg of magnesium per day.
Regimen is another popular low T supplement. See that review for more information.
What Is Testofen?
Testofen is the name given to a trademarked form of the herb fenugreek. The scientific names for fenugreek are Trigonella foenugraecum and Trigonella foenum-graecum. Keep these terms in mind as the Testofen research is reviewed below. Two other names for fenugreek are Greek hay and Greek hayseed.
Testofen is a registered trademark of the company Gencor Pacific (GencorPacific.com). In other words, Gencor Pacific created the name “Testofen” as a way to subtly drive home the message to men that this extract of fenugreek raises testosterone.
But does it?
Let's look at some the research on fenugreek and testosterone and try to find out
Searching the National Library of Medicine for:
- Testofen testosterone
- Fenugreek testosterone
- Trigonella foenugraecum testosterone
- Trigonella foenum-graecum testosterone
I located the following clinical studies.
Testofen Study 1
In a study published in 2011 in the Journal Phytotherapy Research, fenugreek was randomly given to 60 healthy males between the ages of 25 and 52 for 6 weeks. Men either received fenugreek (600 mg of Testofen) or a placebo and they rated how they felt on a sexual functioning questionnaire (called the DISF-SR) over the course of the 6-week study.
The men getting the fenugreek reported greater feelings of sexual arousal, orgasm, libido, well-being, energy, and muscular strength. There was no change in mood reported.
It is odd that the men in the study reported no change in mood, yet they reported better “well being.” To me, that does not compute. How did their well being improve, but not their mood?
Keep in mind that this study did not directly measure strength or energy levels. Rather, the men just reported that they felt stronger and had more energy. This is a drawback of the study.
While these points are interesting, the study also says that testosterone levels did not change.
In the study they say “Serum prolactin and testosterone levels remained within the reference range.” That's fancy talk for ” Testofen did not raise testosterone levels.” Even scientists tap dance around the facts sometimes—and this is an example of it.
Testofen Study 2
Fenugreek is an example of a natural 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. The enzyme 5 alpha-reductase turns testosterone into DHT (di-hydro-testosterone). Thus, anything that could inhibit the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme might prevent DHT formation and — raise testosterone levels.
The next study looked at how well fenugreek can block 5 alpha reductase enzyme.
This study was published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2010. It involved 30 college-age males who were randomly given 500 mg of fenugreek extract —or placebo—for 8 weeks.
The extract of fenugreek used in this study was called grecunin. The word grecunin looks a lot like graecum, which is part of the scientific name for fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Fenugreek supplements usually don't list how much grecunin they contain.
In this study, the men lifted weights for 4 days per week for 8 weeks. They took the fenugreek (or placebo) in the morning and just prior to working out. At end of the study, men who received fenugreek extract saw these benefits:
- 6.57% increase in testosterone —a significant change
- 12.26 increase in the bio-availability of testosterone —a significant change
- 1.77% decrease in body fat —a significant change
- 26.62% increase in estrogen (estradiol) — a non -significant change
- 6.10 % increase in DHT —a non-significant change
- No significant change in muscle strength in the upper or lower body
- No significant change in protein synthesis or muscle hypertrophy
It was also noted fenugreek did not completely block the action of 5 alpha-reductase. It partially blocked the action of the
enzyme—which is interesting— but did not block it completely. This study was funded by Indus Biotech, a pharmaceutical company based in India. Indus Biotech also provided the fenugreek extract. The study lists no conflicts of interest among the researchers (that's good).
This study is interesting. If you decide to try fenugreek, remember the people used in this investigation were college-age males. This doesn't necessarily mean the same results would occur in men who are in their 50s, etc.
Testofen Study 3
Researchers in 2016 published a study on Testofen that lasted 12 weeks and involved giving either a placebo or 600 mg of the fenugreek extract to 111 healthy men (43-70 years of age). Testosterone was measured before and after the study and men completed a questionnaire (called, the Aging Male Symptom Questionnaire) designed to gauge their sexual function and other feelings of low hormone levels.
Compared to those taking a placebo, men taking Testofen reported more morning erections and improvements in their andropause questionnaires. Researchers also reported a “small but significant difference” in testosterone in those taking Testofen compared to those taking a placebo.
Testofen Study 4
Researchers in India noted that a fenugreek extract supplement called Furosap raised testosterone levels between 45% and 90% and improved sperm motility. This study involved 50 men (35-65 years of age) who were given 500 mg of the Furosap supplement for 12 weeks.
Furosap is a product of a company called Cepham (Cepham.com) which is located in New Jersey. I found it odd that they went to India to do their study. A problem with the study was that there was no placebo group.
This supplement contains Furosap for those interested.
Testofen Research Summary
Research can be complicated so here is a quick rundown of the research on Testofen/fenugreek and testosterone
| Study | Amount Used | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Study | 600 mg Testofen | no change in testosterone. |
| 2010 Study | 500 mg fenugreek extract | 6.5% increase in testosterone. |
| 2016 Study | 600mg Testofen | men report better morning erections |
| 2017 Study | 500 mg fenugreek | 45-90% improved testosterone. |
This is a summary. See the above sections for all the results.
My Fenugreek Experiment
While writing this review I became interested in the research I was seeing. So, just as an experiment, I purchased the Vitamin Shoppe brand of fenugreek (not the same thing as Ageless Male) and took 610 mg per day for 6 weeks to see what happens.
While I did notice a little change in erections (usually in the evening), I thought it was minimal and I would not call the effect “significant”. I did not measure my testosterone levels during this “experiment.”
Might the ingredients in Ageless Male work together better than just fenugreek alone? It's possible. I did not test drive Ageless Male so I can't say for sure.
Ageless Male Ingredients (Old Formula)
This review of Ageless Male would not be complete if I didn't mention the version of the product we see today is not the same as it originally was when I first reviewed it. Back then, the original Ageless Male formula contained only 2 ingredients, which together form a proprietary blend that was called “Re-Settin.”
The ingredients in the Re-Settin blend were:
- Saw Palmetto berry extract
- Astaxanthin (a type of carotenoid)
Re-Settin is a catchy word. I guess these ingredients were supposed to “reset” a man’s testosterone levels? Regardless, Re-Settin is a marketing word that holds no scientific meaning.
Originally, 2 capsules of Ageless Male had 10 calories and 800 mg of the Re-Settin blend of ingredients.
The version of the product today has no similarity to what was in the product previously. I have no way of knowing if how the new version of Ageless Male compares to the original formula.
Regardless, here is a review of the research I could turn up on the ingredients in the original formula.
Ageless Male Research (Original Formula)
The original formula of Ageless Male -the product itself – appeared to have no published, clinical proof that it raised testosterone in humans. No clinical studies on this supplement can be located.
There does appear to be one study on saw palmetto and astaxanthin and testosterone levels. The study was published in 2008 in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
The study did not use Ageless Male. Rather researchers were testing another supplement called Mytosterone (also called AlphaStat) made by a company called Triarco (triarco.com) which is located in Wayne NJ. Triarco funded this study but the investigation notes that none of the authors had any financial connection to the outcomes of the research (that's good).
In this 2 week long investigation, 42 healthy men between the ages of 37 and 70 were divided into 2 groups.
- Group 1 (21 men) was given 800 mg of the Mytosterone supplement
- Group 2 (21 men) was given 2000 milligrams of the Mytosterone supplement
At the end of the study, researchers noted that men who got both 800 mg and 2000 mg showed:
- Significant elevations in testosterone
- Significant reductions in DHT
However, significant reductions in estrogen were only seen in men who received the 2000 mg dose.
No significant side effects were noted but again this study lasted only 2 weeks.
If this was a study that the original Ageless Male was based on, keep in mind that it did not look at sex drive, bone growth, strength or muscle development. Myosterone may be found in other supplements also but do check the levels in supplements to make sure you are getting at least 800 mg.
This study did raise some red flags with me. For one thing, the researchers say that the men were divided into two groups. They do not say that the men were randomly divided into groups. I'm mentioning this because if you look at both groups, they have “significantly different” testosterone levels at the start of the study.
- Group 1 (whose average age was 55) testosterone level =21.64 nmol/L
- Group 2 (whose average age was 61) testosterone level =26.26 nmol/L
I’d expect that if the men were randomly assigned to each group, there would not be a significant difference in testosterone levels between groups.
Also, there was no control group either. Given the differences in testosterone between groups at the start of the study, a control group (who got nothing) would make me feel a little better about how good this study was.
Also see the reviews on Mdrive, Nugenix and TriVerex for more info on these other popular men's supplements.
Who Makes Ageless Male?
Ageless Male is marketed by a company called New Vitality (NewVitality.com) which incidentally also goes by the name NAC Vitamin Company (also called NAC Marketing company) according to the Better Business Bureau. The BBB gave NAC Vitamin Company a rating of “B+” when this review was written. Check the BBB file for updates and more information
The New Vitality/NAC Vitamin company is located at 95 Executive Drive, Suite 14 Brentwood NY 11717. This address corresponds to the Hartland Business Center.
Another address for New Vitality is 260 Smith St., Farmingdale, NY 11735. Googling this address clearly shows a building with a sign saying “New Vitality, NAC Marketing.”
It's worth mentioning that Ageless Male is one of many products New Vitality offers.
See the Super Beta Prostate review for another supplement they make.
How To Contact Ageless Male?
New Vitality, the company that markets Ageless Male can be reached at 800-675-5956.
Another phone number is 631-777-7767.
How Much Does Ageless Male Cost?
1 bottle of Ageless Male costs $49.95 and $39.95 if becoming a “super saver” (this may be where they auto ship people a bottle on a regular basis). Purchasing 3 bottles cost $89.90. There are also deals for buying more and being in the Super Saver program
Buy Ageless Male
Ageless Male can be purchased as many familiar stores like Vitamin Shoppe and GNC and Walmart. It can also be obtained directly from the NewVitality.com website too.
Ageless Male vs. MDrive
Mdrive is another popular testosterone-raising supplement. Mdrive also contains Testofen too as well as other ingredients not found in Ageless Male. At the time this review was created, there were no studies that compared Ageless Male to Mdrive to see which was better.
The Mdrive Review has other information on that product.
Ageless Male vs. Nugenix
Those investigating natural ways to increase testosterone levels have probably heard of Nugenix. Like Ageless Male, it's advertised on TV. No studies have compared their effects to each other. They contain different ingredients too.
See the Nugenix review for more information.
Ageless Male Side Effects
I believe Ageless Male is safe. I'm not aware of any bad side effects from the product. It's important to remember that a testosterone supplement like Ageless Male is likely not going to have the same side effects as taking testosterone itself.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if using this or other testosterone booster supplements. This list is not complete:
- With all-new supplements start with less than is recommended for the first week to see how you react.
- Fenugreek might lower blood sugar levels. This may be a problem for those with diabetes.
- Stop taking Ageless Male and other supplements at least 2 weeks before having surgery.
- Kids and teenagers should not use fenugreek or Ageless Male. The product is not designed for them.
- Ageless Male is not appropriate for women, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Those who have any health issues or take any medications are encouraged to speak to their doctor first.
Ageless Male And Hair Loss
Since Ageless Male is touted to raise testosterone levels, some might wonder if that might lead to hair loss as more testosterone is converted to DHT (which is linked to hair loss). I'm not aware of any evidence of this. Fenugreek appears to block the enzyme that raises DHT levels.
Does Ageless Male Work?
If Ageless Male really works its effects might be best noticed in men with low testosterone levels. As for libido, this is a complicated issue. I think the results would vary.
The only way to know if it's boosting testosterone is to get your testosterone levels measured first. Then, try Ageless Male for a month. Then measure testosterone again. That is the best way to know if Ageless Male is really working.
Here it is on Amazon
What do you think?